From the Publisher:
Ezekiel is such a sure-handed receiver, he’s always chosen first when teams are picked for football. He’s even earned the nickname EZ, short for endzone, because he catches so many touchdown passes. His good buddy, Joel, however, always gets picked last. For a reason.
The football was thrown in a tight spiral, soaring straight to Joel. Caching it would mean victory. As Joel reached out, the ball bounced off his fingertips and hung in the air. Joel stretched his arms out further, but the ball slipped through his hands and hit the ground with a thud. Joel was deflated. EZ was annoyed and, out of frustration, yelled, “Catch the ball!”
It was that moment of disappointment and disbelief that would eventually lead the boys to realize they have the same problem – neither is having any fun. Joel can’t keep his head in the game or concentrate because he’s too worried about messing up and getting yelled at by teammates. EZ hates the pressure that comes from everyone expecting him to always be at the top of his game. Even his league coach repeatedly tells him to “catch the ball,” which has taken all the fun out of playing his favorite sport.
For very different reasons, Joel and EZ struggle with peer pressure, self-doubt, and stress. But instead of turning to grownups for answers and help, they turn to each other for a solution. Can they work together to come up with a successful plan that will allow them to reclaim the confidence and sense of fun they’ve lost?
This is the first title in author Bryan Smith’s new Kids Can Do It Too! series, written for students in grades 1-6, and includes a special page for parents and educators on how to encourage children to develop independent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
My Thoughts:
I have not seen such a long synopsis from a publisher, but I kept most if it because there must be a reason why they want the publisher description to be so long. This is not my usual book kind of book, but my grandson came over after school while his parents went to an event, so Puna (me, and what they call me instead of grandma) was in charge of homework for my kindergartener. One of the things on his list was to read a book. He did not have one, so I went to NetGalley to find something that would catch his eye. He chose this one for a few reasons. One, is that as a kindergartener, he recognized some of the frequently used words in the title: Catch, the, and Ball. He also loves to play. Recess is his favorite time of the day.
This book, as you can see from above, is about two boys, EZ or Ezekiel, and his friend Joel. EZ hurts Joel's feelings, even if he does not know that he did it. Still, EZ wants to know why Joel is not talking to him and when Joel says that he did not appreciate being yelled at, EZ very maturely says sorry.
EZ is especially sorry, because when his coach yells "Catch the Ball!" it also stresses him out, but he did the same thing to Joel. The two boys are emotionally very mature, but my grandson quickly figured out that Joel was not mad about dropping the ball. He was mad about getting yelled at.
EZ is even able to talk to his coach and the coach changed his tactics, all because EZ had a dream solution.
When I asked my grandson what he took away from the book it was that play is for fun. Everyone should be included and no one should be yelled at for making a mistake because play is for fun. He also enjoyed the humor: "Un-b-leave-uh-bull!" The way that was illustrated just made him laugh and laugh.
Teaching Suggestions:
Thematic Currents:
- Mental health
- Belonging
- Friendship
- Problem solving
- Self-advocacy
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